2.3.11Chemical Bonding, Application Of Chemical Reactions and Organic Chemistry

Transition Metals

5 min read 7 parts Lesson 35 of 54 1 quiz

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Section 1 of 7Where they are and what they share

Position

Position Transition metals occupy the central block of the Periodic Table, between Group 2 and Group 3.
Iron, copper, nickel, zinc, silver and platinum are familiar examples.

Typical metallic properties

Typical metallic properties They have high melting points and high boiling points.
They are malleable, so they can be hammered into shape without breaking.
They have high densities.
They are good conductors of electricity and of heat.

Comparison with Group 1

Comparison with Group 1 Group 1 metals are soft, have low melting points and low densities, so transition metals are much harder and denser.

Section 2 of 7Extra properties that set them apart

Transition metals

Coloured compounds

Coloured compounds Their compounds are often brightly coloured, unlike the white or colourless compounds of Group 1 and Group 2 metals.

More than one ion

More than one ion A single transition metal can form ions with different charges.
- Iron, for example, forms Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions.

Catalytic activity

Catalytic activity Many transition metals and their compounds speed up reactions without being used up.

Section 3 of 7Catalysts in industry

Catalyst	Process	Purpose
Iron	Haber process	Speeds up the reaction between nitrogen and hydrogen to make ammonia, so the reaction is economical
Platinum	Catalytic converter in a car exhaust	Helps convert harmful gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides into less harmful substances

Section 4 of 7Ions and colours (HT only)

Ion	Colour of its compounds	Example
Fe²⁺	Pale green	Iron(II) sulfate solution
Fe³⁺	Brown	Iron(III) chloride solution
Cu²⁺	Blue	Copper(II) sulfate crystals and solution

Section 5 of 7Using the ideas in answers

If asked how a metal is identified as a transition metal, mention at least one property beyond the ordinary metallic ones, such as coloured compounds or variable ions.

If a question gives a formula with a roman numeral, such as iron(II), the numeral tells you the charge on the ion.

If asked to justify a catalyst, say that it speeds up the reaction and is not used up, so it can be used again.

For colour questions at higher tier, use the exact words from the table, for example 'pale green' rather than just 'green'.

Section 6 of 7Key terms

Term	Meaning
Transition metal	A metal from the central block of the Periodic Table, typically hard and dense with coloured compounds and variable ions.
Catalyst	A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being used up.
Malleable	Able to be hammered or bent into shape without breaking.
Haber process	The industrial manufacture of ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen, using an iron catalyst.
Catalytic converter	A device in a car exhaust containing a transition metal catalyst that reduces harmful emissions.

Section 7 of 7Exam technique

Saying that a catalyst is used up in the reaction: it is unchanged at the end and can be reused.

Describing Fe²⁺ solutions as simply 'green' when the required answer is 'pale green' (HT only).

Assuming transition metals are like Group 1 metals: they are hard, dense and have high melting points.

Mixing up the colours of iron(II) and iron(III) compounds: Fe²⁺ is pale green and Fe³⁺ is brown.

Giving only 'conducts electricity' as evidence of being a transition metal, since every metal does that.